When you enroll in 'Amazon Smile', Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible "AmazonSmile' purchases to a charitable organization of your choice. St. John's United Methodist Church - Ivyland is a participating group!

'AmazonSmile' is the same Amazon you know - same products, same prices and same service. This is an easy way to contribute to St. John's without any extra cost to you!

The Grace Cafe is open Sunday mornings for fellowship and refreshments.

MISSIONS

Red Bird Trailers are closed

for the winter.

Thank you for your support this year.

We will re-open in the Spring.

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE TABS COLLECTION

Naomi Circle is collecting tabs from beverage cans for Ronald McDonald House. You will find a container under the sign hanging on the UMW bulletin board. Please place them in a plastic bag and put it in the container. This is an ongoing collection, so keep bringing them in as you collect them. Thank you.

I've struggled for the last several weeks trying not only to put into words my feelings about the decision of the Special Session of General Conference, but also pondering a possible way forward for our congregation.

Of course, the hope of the Special Session was that we would create a way forward with space for all people to live into our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The reality is that delegates from throughout the world reaffirmed, by a slim margin of 438-384, the "Traditional Plan," which would keep all of the wording regarding homosexuality in our Book of Discipline intact ("homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching") and thus would continue to ban the ordination of gay clergy and continue to ban clergy from performing same-sex marriages.

The truth is that it doesn't matter which side of the aisle you are on, or I am on. A strong message has now been sent to our communities and to the entire nation that the United Methodist Church no longer has "open hearts, open minds, and open doors," and that our congregations will now be screening and judging all who walk through our doors. Yes, I've actually heard that comment. No, of course it is not true.

We must focus on the fact that although General Conference is the law-making body of our denomination, it is not the church. WE are the church. And St. John's will continue to be the same church we've always been. We will continue to be open and welcoming to all people regardless of age, race, gender, theological stance, and - YES - sexual orientation. We will continue to have the same open hearts, open minds, and open doors that we've always had. And we will take steps to make sure everyone is aware of that. Our congregation has never been known to treat anyone, or any group of people, as second-class citizens, and we will continue to be a bright light to our community.

As Bishop Easterling from the Baltimore-Washington Conference stated, "law and God's grace often find themselves at odds." He also said that "the resounding justification offered by those who would not support the One Church Plan (which would have removed the phrase "homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching," and therefore change the restrictions on clergy) is that they could not be affiliated with a denomination that condones what they believe to be sin. As I have said repeatedly, well-regarded biblical scholars and theologians disagree on the interpretation of the scriptures used to support that understanding ... and to say that you cannot remain in relationship with "sinners" is to deny the reality that our denomination, as is the case with any denomination, is filled with persons living in ways some would define as sin. Our current disciplinary language simply elevates one perceived sin above all others and castigates some to the exclusion of others."

We as a congregation are called to be in deep prayer at this time. I do not know what the ultimate outcome of this decision will be - it is still very possible that could be looking at some form of denominational split or schism in the future. But we have to remember that God is in control, even when we see chaos all around us - and so we pray that God will make a way when there seems to be no way. And until then, we commit ourselves to live in the uncertainty, to remain faithful, to pray unceasingly, and to continue worshiping and working together for peace, truth and justice for all.

Pastor Janice

2019 HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Please note changes in worship times for

Palm Sunday and Easter.

APRIL 14, 2019 PALM/PASSION SUNDAY

2 Worship Services Only

9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Nursery (up to 3 years) at both services

Sunday School (4 yrs. to 6th grade) at both services

Youth Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. only

APRIL 18, 2019 MAUNDY THURSDAY

7:30 p.m.

A dramatic service of

Tenebrae, Communion, Choral and Handbell Music

APRIL 19, 2019 GOOD FRIDAY

Noon to 1:00 p.m.

"Seven Last Words"

North & Southampton Reformed Church

1380 Bristol Road

Southampton, PA 18966

Participation of clergy and choirs from our local ministerium

APRIL 21, 2019 EASTER

9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Worship Services

Nursery (up to 3 years) at both services

Sunday School (4 yrs. to 6th grade) at both services

YOUTH GROUP

Sunday Nights from 7-8:30 PM

Fellowship and fun for youth grades 7 thru 12.

Changes have come to St. John's Youth

Being that 2 of 3 school districts in our area consider 6th grade as Middle School,

then I believe it's time we do the same.

St. John's Youth Group - 6th thru 12th Grades.

Welcome to all our 6th graders!!!

This week at YG!

Jeopardy

Do you have the correct question??

______________________________________________

Morrisville Food Bank Monday

Monday, April 8th

Please contact David Bigam.

Do Not Miss This Opportunity!

Come and experience great Fellowship
on the 2nd Monday of every month!

Morrisville is open to EVERYONE interested in going to help make 220 grocery bags full of food.

Families are always welcome!

Following this event we always head to Chick-fil-a for Milkshakes!!!!

_____________________________________________

Coming soon...

Escape Room - St. John's Youth

Do you have what it takes to "Escape" my room?

I don't think you do!

_____________________________________________

And as always

Bring a Friend and Bring a Can!

_______________________________________________

Have you HELPED anyone today?

Have you SAID SOMETHING NICE to anyone today?

David Bigam, Director of Children and Youth Ministries

dbigam@gmail.com

A big thank you to everyone who made

Fat Tuesday 2019 a success!!!!

Great time was had by all!!

St. John's Ivyland

Vacation Bible School 2019

July 22-26 9 AM til Noon

For children ages 4 years thru 6th grade

Registration begins May 1

$15 per child with a MAX of $30 per family.

For more information, please contact David Bigam

215-357-6998 or dbigam@gmail.com

ADULT/FAMILY MINISTRY

SPACES STILL AVAILABLE - SIGN UP NOW! SIGHT & SOUND AND SHADY MAPLE

If you've been thinking about signing up for this,

now is the time!

May 4, 2019

Bus will leave from St. John's at 8:45 AM and return around 6:30 PM

We will see the 11:00 showing of Sight & Sound's production of "Jesus"

Lunch at Shady Maple after the show

$130 per person; make checks out to St. John's

Payment is due NOW.

No refunds for cancellations after April 1

Bus is contingent up on us having at least 40 people signed up.

Sign up in the Narthex!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: R.I.S.E. SUNDAY!

Believe it or not, we are already thinking ahead to R.I.S.E. Sunday 2019. We are in need of people to fill leadership roles for specific projects, as well as handling clean-up and delivery of items made for R.I.S.E. Sunday. Contact Lara Bolte at stjadultministries@gmail.com or 215-357-6998.

OUTREACH

Our first Hosting week is April 7th - 14th

Sign Up Genius is active, please see where you can help at this link: Sign Up Here

March 24th all volunteers are asked to meet in the library after you attend service. Sharon Byle will be there after each of the services. We will go over in detail the volunteer job details, make sure everyone has all their forms turned in and go over any questions. If you are not available on the 24th, please let Sharon know at smbyle@gmail.com or 610-888-1329.

2 more ways to help:

At 10am on Friday March 29th a couple people are needed to sort and verify that we have all the linens we need and stored for use during hosting.

We are responsible for feeding and sheltering our guests for a week, this includes buying food for use at the day center for lunch and breakfast. If you would like to make a donation toward those purchases you may write a check to St. John's and put Family Promise Food in the memo line. Let Sharon know that you contributed so I can follow up. Thanks for your generosity.

We are pleased to announce that St. John's will be sponsoring a GriefShare group for our church family as well as for our community facilitated by

Chaplain Erin Maurer, United Methodist Deacon.

GriefShare is a twelve-week, faith-based program for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one.

The first session will be on Monday, March 25 at

6:30 PM in the Grace Cafe. You may register at the sign-up table in the narthex or online at griefshare.org. There is a $15 fee for the workbook payable at the first session. For further information, contact Pastor Janice or

Ruth Portzline or go to griefshare.org.

If you or someone you know has experienced separation or divorce, either recently or a long time ago, we want to invite them to a new group.

Weekly meetings are Tuesdays, from 6pm to 7:30pm in the Grace Café.

Just go to divorcecare.org and put in our church zip code (18974) to find our future group listed and then register.

The format is a light meal and viewing of expert information on DVD, followed by a time of sharing and discussion.

There is a $25 fee for a workbook but scholarships are available.

Each rotation lasts 13 weeks but you can miss anytime and make up the session during the next rotation if desired.

We are also looking for people to help welcome visitors, make coffee, and provide support to our facilitator.

Contact sarah@ifloyd.com or call the church office for more information.

ST. JOHN'S NETWORK DIRECTORY

We are working to create a St. John's Network Directory of goods and services provided by St. John's members (and regular attenders) in their business lives.

The goal is to help members and regular attenders who wish to patronize the businesses of their church family.

The ultimate format of this directory will depend upon the number of entries we receive.

If you own or manage a business or provide a good or service, we invite you to complete the form below. You may also fill out the form in Sunday's bulletin and place it in Lara Bolte's mailbox (by the church office) or email the information to her at stjadultministries@gmail.com.

St. John's has been ill and needs a meal, please contact Ruth Portzline, Pastor Janice or Carol Messina. If you would like to help, call Carol Messina at 215-491-1461.

UMW/UMM

Sock It To Me Sundays

Sunday March 17th thru April 7th

Please support the United Methodist Women as we collect new items of clothing for families in need in our area.

We will be collecting socks, underwear, baby and children's pajamas, diapers, disposable underwear for men and women as well as nonperishable baby formula.

Please place your items in the laundry basket located close to the UMW bulletin board. Should you have any questions please contact Kathy Keppol at 215-357-7404 or speak to any UMW leader.

UNITED METHODIST MEN'S BREAKFAST

Saturday, March 16

8 AM

Fellowship Hall

All men invited.

Please sign-up on the sign-up sheet in the Narthex or email Ed Campbell at edcampbell6@aol.com

BOOK CLUB

BOOK CLUB

Tuesday, April 2, 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM in the Church Parlor.

Her name is Dinah, in the Bible her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the Book of Genesis that tell of her father, Jacob, and his 12 sons. Dinah's story reaches our from a remarkable period of early history and creates an intimate connection with the past.

All are welcome. Please join us.

Leaders Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell

MUSIC

MUSIC MINISTRY NOTES

All vocal and handbell choirs at

St. John's are open to anyone who loves music.

There is no formal audition, and your participation in our Music Ministry is welcomed.

If you feel you have found a church home at St John's, we invite you to become a member!

Our next
"New Member Sunday" will be

Sunday, May 19, 2019. Those wishing to become members of St. John's will be invited to take the vows of membership at any of our three worship services.

The only "requirement" for membership is that you feel a commitment to Christ and a desire to make St. John's your church family. If you feel God calling you to take this next step on your faith journey, we welcome you with open arms!

If you are considering membership, please check off "wish to become a member" on the sign-in tablet and/or contact outreachstjohns@yahoo.com for further information.

Prospective new members will have the opportunity to meet informally with the pastors on Wednesday, May 15 from 7-8 pm for coffee and dessert in the church parlor.